The ‘Rise Up Lilac Rose’ is a beautiful and versatile addition to gardens. Its unique color and adaptable growth habit make it a compelling choice for both experienced and new rose cultivators. It combines aesthetic appeal with manageable care.
Meet the Rise Up Lilac Rose
The ‘Rise Up Lilac Rose’, ‘Rosa x ‘ChewLilacdays”, is a mini-climbing rose that can also be grown as a shrub. It typically reaches 5 to 8 feet tall and spreads 2 to 4 feet wide, maintaining a neat, dense habit. Its blooms are a unique lilac-purple hue, often hinting at blue, with a semi-double form. These flowers have a powerful, heady fragrance, attracting pollinators. The rose blooms continuously from early summer until the first frost.
Planting Your Rise Up Lilac Rose
Planting begins with selecting the right location. This rose thrives in full sun, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight daily for prolific flowering. Adequate air circulation around the plant is also beneficial.
The plant prefers moist, well-draining soil and will not tolerate extended sogginess. A neutral to slightly acidic soil pH is ideal for optimal growth. Incorporating organic matter, such as compost or aged manure, improves soil structure and fertility.
When planting, dig a hole wide enough for the root ball and deep enough so the top is level with the surrounding soil. Gently loosen any circling roots before placing the plant, backfill with amended soil, and water thoroughly to settle the soil. Space individual plants 2 to 4 feet apart if planting multiple roses.
Caring for Your Rise Up Lilac Rose
Consistent watering is important, especially during establishment. The rose needs about an inch of water per week, either from rainfall or irrigation. Watering at the base of the plant in the morning helps prevent fungal diseases by allowing foliage to dry throughout the day.
Fertilization supports vigorous growth and abundant blooms; apply a granular rose fertilizer in late winter or early spring when the soil becomes workable. An additional application in late spring can further boost rebloom, but avoid fertilizing after mid-July.
Pruning should occur in early spring, just as new buds emerge. Remove any dead or damaged wood, and prune back by about one-third of its height, making cuts just above a healthy bud to encourage robust new growth. This rose does not require deadheading for continuous blooming.
Maintaining good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering helps prevent common issues like leaf spot and powdery mildew. In colder climates (USDA Zones 4-9), a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base of the plant can provide winter protection.
Why Choose Rise Up Lilac Rose?
The ‘Rise Up Lilac Rose’ offers several advantages for gardeners. It is celebrated for its exceptional disease resistance, minimizing concerns about common rose ailments such as black spot and powdery mildew. This variety provides continuous blooming from early summer through fall, ensuring a prolonged display of its unique lilac-purple flowers.
Its versatile growth habit allows it to be cultivated as either a compact shrub or a mini-climber, adapting well to various garden designs. This makes it suitable for containers, borders, mass plantings, or training on a trellis, offering flexibility for different landscape uses. The combination of its distinctive color, powerful fragrance, and easy-care nature makes the ‘Rise Up Lilac Rose’ a popular choice.